Tor Project’s Shari Steele Confirms Sexual Harassment Allegations Against Jacob Appelbaum

Shari Steele, the executive director of the Tor Project, announced Wednesday that an internal probe looking into accusations of ex-Tor employee Jacob Appelbaum’s “sexually aggressive behavior” has verified the allegations.

Steele, in a statement, said that steps had been taken in the wake of this incident to create an anti-harassment policy, a conflicts of interest policy, procedures for submitting complaints and an internal complaint review process. All these policies have been approved by the online anonymity software’s board of directors and will be implemented this week.

“I believe these new policies and practices will make the Tor Project and the Tor community significantly healthier and stronger. I want to thank everyone who has contributed to the work we've done so far, and also to those who will contribute in the coming months,” she wrote.

Appelbaum quit in May when the accusations came to light. The internal investigation found that in addition to Appelbaum, two other employees not with the organization any longer engaged in inappropriate conduct. According to Steele, many people came forward admitting to having been, “humiliated, intimidated, bullied and frightened by Jacob, and several experienced unwanted sexually aggressive behavior from him.”

“I want to thank all the people who broke the silence around Jacob's behavior. It is because of you that this issue has now been addressed. I am grateful you spoke up, and I acknowledge and appreciate your courage,” she wrote.

Appelbaum was reportedly unavailable for comment but in June the developer released a statement saying that the allegations against him were “entirely false” calling it a “calculated and targeted attack.”